PIA Press ReleaseThursday, January 12, 2012

Bicol PNP reports 40% decrease of firecracker injuries in Bicol

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 12 (PIA) —- Due to massive advocacy on the harm brought about by firecrackers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) believe that the campaign paid off with the decrease of injured cases.

This reflection was made by P/Supt Renato B. Bataller, PNP Bicol regional public information officer during an interview at the PIA radio program Monday. The official stated that there were 38 individuals injured in 33 firecracker incidents, lower than last year’s 63 recorded cases or a variance of 25 cases.

The period covered by the report from December 16 until January 1, 2012 showed that Albay topped the list of firecracker victims with 14, followed by Camarines Sur with nine, Camarines Norte eight, Masbate four, Sorsogon three, and zero for Catanduanes.

Police arrested nine persons, eight of whom were from Albay and one from Camarines Sur for selling illegal firecrackers.

The operation was able to confiscate illegal firecrackers with a combined value of P120,324, Impounded prohibited firecrackers in Albay amounted to P91,509 while those from Camarines Sur was P16,815. The police was able to seize P12,000 worth of firecrackers in Camarines Norte but was unable to arrest any perpetrator.

The PNP report disclosed a case of indiscriminate firing and a victim of stray bullet.

SPO2 Isidro Cucal y Nartatez is facing criminal and administrative cases for firing a gun last December 16 that traumatized children in the area. Recovered from the suspect’s possession were one caliber .9mm pistol, one magazine assembly loaded with two live ammo and two fired cartridges. No fire incident attributed to firecrackers was reported. (MAL/AAN-PIA V)